The UK is really boring and only has alpha-numerical designations like below: -

http://www.btinternet.com/~Badham/motorway_sign_150.jpg

Like license plates, I think Europe takes the title for most boring designs.

US Interstate Shield.

http://cee.wpi.edu/Roadsafe/Pix/interstate.gif

I love the highway signs in the US. Each state has a unique set of highway signs. Texas has the most different ones.

http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/fm-5_weatherford_2.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/IH85-us-280-431.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/nh-18_135_shields.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/TX137.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/nv341-431jct.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/US43-US72-.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/us-80-231-al-21.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/wyo28arrow.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/IH39.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/Tex70-FM2744Signs.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/logo_foodroad_signs.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/logoExit-312-I-75-North11.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/logoMvc-001f.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/logoMvc-030f.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/loop375.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/nasa1tx3.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/north-end-51-large.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/old73+old90-jct+bus-stop-large.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/P1010069.jpg
http://upload.jivez.com/uploads/sh45_at_frontera_2003-12-08_C_785.jpg

The UK is really boring and only has alpha-numerical designations like below: -

http://www.btinternet.com/~Badham/motorway_sign_150.jpg

Like license plates, I think Europe takes the title for most boring designs.

And it seems like Australia is ditching the shields in favour of the Mx/Axxx/etc markings.

Victoria's system is quite inconsistent, inside Melbourne, all freeways have a Mxx marking but all other major roads still have a number in a shield. Once you get to the fringe suburbs, we go into a Axxx/Bxxx/Cxxx system.

And the signs are just yellow numbers and letters on a green background.

But I like the alphanumeric system as it can roughly identify the standard of the road. But road maps have colour coded them to show that since the beginning of time.

Ontario's (Canada) highway shields absolutely suck compared to its American, Quebec, and even Maritime counterparts as there's only the single King's highway shield and some trapezoidal shaped county highways, none of which are normally coloured. There's also the Trans-Canada highway but it doesn't pass near the Toronto area.

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/%7Ejlin/signs/canada/Ontario/Primary.gif
http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/%7Ejlin/signs/canada/Ontario/Primary_guide.gif

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/%7Ejlin/signs/canada/

Quebec has those beloved Autoroute signs however:

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/%7Ejlin/signs/canada/Quebec/Autoroute.gif

And it seems like Australia is ditching the shields in favour of the Mx/Axxx/etc markings.

Victoria's system is quite inconsistent, inside Melbourne, all freeways have a Mxx marking but all other major roads still have a number in a shield. Once you get to the fringe suburbs, we go into a Axxx/Bxxx/Cxxx system.

And the signs are just yellow numbers and letters on a green background.

But I like the alphanumeric system as it can roughly identify the standard of the road. But road maps have colour coded them to show that since the beginning of time.

What is the Axxx/Bxxx/Cxxx system?


Anyway, I think the U.S. has the most colorful highway system in the world. I especially love the Gas/Food/Lodging signs we have for freeways. So much color.

The A B C system is based on the British style of route numbering. The first Aussie state to introduce it was Tasmania followed by Victoria and South Australia. Queensland has two roads marked with the system and there is a lot of talk about NSW converting in the near future.

The system keeps the existing route numbers but assigns a letter to them in accordance to their pecking order. For example the Princess Freeway between Mellbourne and Geelong was Highway 1 under the system it is M1 (M=Motorway) once out of Geelong where it reverts to regular Highway all the way to Adelaide it is designated A1. A routes are the most important routes, B routes are secondary intercity connections and the common C routes are either routes within a city (as commonly used in Geelong ans Eastern Melbourne) or Branch offs from Major Highways. For example as Geelong is situated along the M1 many of it's C routes are in the C100 range. See below for some photos of Road Signs around my area that I took today

All of these are taken from Cox Rd in between Corio and Norlane (Geelong Suburbs) Cox Rd intersects with the M1 hence route C136

Heres a Distance Marker - All are suburbs save for Anakie which is a sattelite town
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/p079233c8d9ea42d89d566adf3035324f/f74025b8.jpg

These signs are placed around 100 metres before intersections. On all the websites I've seen for American Hwy signs I've never seen anything that comes close - it's like they don't put guide signs on the surface streets.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/p103180a62be3da0f47cdff3f012d85ca/f74025ae.jpg

These arrow signs get placed at intersections so there can be no doubt as to the location of the turn off.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/p72a2dcecaddbb3bdaa944530212be87f/f74025a9.jpg

Being Australia there are lots of roundabouts, here's one that branches off in 5 directions
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/p620b3ce85f45d4ccca14bfbf1d8682f9/f74025a7.jpg

The Australian road signs are pretty similar in design to UK roadsigns.

Here's some from Canberra, Australia's Capital City

http://www.hotkey.net.au/~krool/photos/act/Canberra31.jpg

The Yellow, Blue, Mauve and Beige Numbers are tourist routes
The Black Number on White Shield is a Main Hwy

This is from a freeway in Canberra

http://www.hotkey.net.au/~krool/photos/act/TuggPkwy1.jpg

A distance marker in the forest that runs alongside Canberra, The Brown/Mauve color of the sign indicates Tourist Destinations

http://www.hotkey.net.au/~krool/photos/act/Cotter.jpg

It's a pitty about the Australian shields. I'm sure at one point some states used the US Interstate shield but with the word "Freeway" in the top bit.

The Quebec Autoroute sign is one of my favourites. Check out the picture in the red section.

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/%7Ejlin/signs/canada/Quebec/Autoroute.gif

Here's my proposal for introduction in the UK. It's a blend of the shield and letter prefix systems. I think it looks quite nice. I've adapted my two favourite shields, the US Interstate and Quebec Autoroute.

http://img20.exs.cx/img20/8084/UKShields.jpg

Australia could do something similar but with C Roads included.

Hey! I saw some Pennsylvania signs in there! Excellent! New Hampshire was there as well. I like when states take their slogan or their state shape and make them into their road signs. When you are on a roadtrip, it helps you remember which state you are in!

Hang on, whats the point in these shields? They are road signs, so what is the point of having them all decorated. Surely roads signs should just be easy to read, like tey are in the UK and much of europe.

Trans Canada Highway, the longest highway in the world (over 7500km long, from Victoria, B.C., to St. John's, NFLD):

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~jlin/signs/canada/Alberta/Trans-Canada.gif

Standard Alberta Provincial Highway Marker:

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~jlin/signs/canada/Alberta/Provincial.gif

Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) Marker:

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~jlin/signs/canada/Alberta/Crowsnest.gif

Not all highway markers in the EU are set to standard. There are local variations to be found all over the place. Natually, on the autobahns/autostratas/motorways they are pretty much the same, and often carry an extra letter "E" which is a trans european highway number (similar to an inter-inter-state I suppose)

Here's some from France
http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/21/76/21_76_98_web.jpg
http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/21/14/21_14_23_web.jpg
and they can get colourful
http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/21/14/21_14_60_web.jpg
I like this one, it reads "The Sea, 1st right"
http://lmars.digibase.ca/lmars/michelin/francehols2304.jpg
Here's your more standard French highway marker
http://lmars.digibase.ca/lmars/france/francehols205.jpg
http://lmars.digibase.ca/lmars/france/francehols434.jpg
http://lmars.digibase.ca/lmars/france/francehols557.jpg
One extra, no road sign, but I saw this cool photo of this bridge in Normandy, anyone know which one it is?
http://lmars.digibase.ca/lmars/pontnorm/francehols2161.jpg

don't ask why I done France instead of Germany...?? I dunno myself.

http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~jlin/signs/states/Minnesota.gif

this site has all the pics of highways (particularly in minnesota) anyone could possably need
http://www.ajfroggie.com/
http://www.ajfroggie.com/roadpics/mn-ends/i394_wt_03.jpg
http://www.ajfroggie.com/roadpics/mn/mn100/nb100const_22a.jpg

Taiwans are quite unique. They are in the shape of the national flower, the plum blossom. Usually it's a sign with the outline of the 5-petal flower and the number of the national highway.


http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~jlin/signs/Asia/Taiwan/National.gif

New South Wales, Australia

The hexagonal routes are metroads - basically the main arteries of the metro area. Found in Sydney and Brisbane.
http://madmartigan.net/smeghead/m6atm4.jpg

The otherside of sign pictured above. Here you get to see the state route shield. This are the main roads across NSW. These are also found in WA and metro Melbourne. In orther states, they have been or are being phased out.
http://madmartigan.net/smeghead/sr44m6.jpg

We also have national highway and national route shields, but I'll have to find them.

New Zealand highway numbers are shown on a red shield. Local routes on a white shield. There is no distinction made according to road type (ie:M,A,B etc).

http://www.arizonaroads.com/nz/big/P1001088.jpg
http://www.arizonaroads.com/nz/big/P1001086.jpg
http://www.arizonaroads.com/nz/pics/R1001179.jpg

Poland:

http://www.poznan.gddkia.gov.pl/tenp_pict/DSC04343_resize.jpg

http://www.poznan.gddkia.gov.pl/tenp_pict/DSC04344_resize.jpg

http://wil.linux.krakow.pl/~disarm/nowe/S3400114.JPG

http://wil.linux.krakow.pl/~disarm/nowe/S3400138.JPG

http://www.startbilder.de/einzelbild.php?id=286520&quality=100&identifier=622077cb5e&maxpixel=1000

Poland:

motorway:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d9.gif
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d10.gif

expressway:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d7.gif
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d8.gif

Tables with cities' names:

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e1a.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e1b.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e2c.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e2d.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e2e.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e2f.gif


Distance table:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e14a.gif

motorway number plate:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e15c.gif

expressway number plate:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e15d.gif

exit info:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/e20.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/f14a.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/f14b.gif

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/f14c.gif

toll motorway:

http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/t28.gif

I like the european system most.Its standard but clear.

The highway running right past my front door in Seattle:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/mongo8780/sr522.gif

^ That's amusing. George Washington's head. :laugh:

For some reason i perfer Euro style highway markers than US ones. Mayble because i see them too much.

^ That's amusing. George Washington's head. :laugh:

Isnt it great? I always know I'm close to home when I see his head start popping up.

Some Israeli highway signs:
http://hwy-shields.calrog.com/isr-2r.jpg

Right sign: indicating a mainstreet non-freeway entrance to Tel- Aviv.
Left Sign: indicating left turn on traffic light to the Ayalon freeway ( Rd. 20), or freeway no. 5 ( Rd.5). Those are somewhat outdated signs ( different fonts are used now, for example)

Freeways are shown on a blue sign, and the numbers are shown on a blue shield.
Bar that:
Countrywide &regional roads ( one or two digits) have a red shield placed on a green sign.
local-regional roads have 3 digits a green shield , placed on top a green sign.
local roads have 4 digits and a brown shield on top of a green sign.

There is basically a single nationwide road numbering system, with some local authorities using other numbering systems for planning purposes, mostly.

------
Another example:
On the Ayalon freeway: three lanes on the freeway, 4th lane, Exit KKL Bvd.
http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/20205.jpg

----
A white generic direction sign ( these are dominant around the country) + a tourist destination brown sign:

http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/15473.jpg

Perfect example of the black&white signs out of the cities + green colour shield with the road number.

----

One of them rare greenback signs, this one is quite old as evidenced by the faded brown shield indicating a local road, as one of the direction.
http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/hi201-006.jpg

---

Another one of them rather rare greenback-with-shields signs:
http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/10502.jpg

This one is also rather old ( font ), but in an ok condition. indicates two rather major roads ( note, red signs those can be as big as 3 lanes in each direction, with some interchanges, and as small as one lane in each direction.


----


RARE!!!
http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/11148.jpg
http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/11147.jpg
notice the triangle with the digit in it? I am not sure what it means, really, but it's some sort of palestinian road sign inside Israel ( for the 'safe passage' route, I think. It was made by Israeli PWD )

-----

http://www.israelimages.com/get_watermark.asp?p=medium/50202.jpg

Greenback sign, no digits - Unlike the black&whites these are located before intersections.



I'll try to bring pics of new signs from the freeway being built in my city.

Some from Ontario(Canada)

http://www.onthighways.com/hwy_401_images/401_M-C_613.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/drjoe12/401/express4014pq.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/gf_curtis/401_dv_westney_east.jpg

Ontario does a better job of anywhere ive been of marking what is coming up at the next exit. Every, food, gas, and hotel is marked along with all attractions...this one here is abit of overkill, they're usually more spaced out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/gf_curtis/401_cl_279_centre_8WB.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/gf_curtis/401_dv_257_east.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/gf_curtis/401_dv_13_5_west.jpg

This one is rather interesting. South Korea has recently changed their freeway system to the standard American Interstate (in this case, interprovincial) System, with the exact same regulations and symbols. (e.g. minimum 4 lanes, odd numbers for north-south freeways, etc.)

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-1.gif I-1, the Gyungbu (Seoul-Busan) Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-10.gif I-10, the South Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-12.gif I-12, the '88 Olympics Memorial Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-14.gif I-14, the Gochang-Damyang Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-15.gif I-15, the West Coast Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-16.gif I-16, the Ulsan Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-17.gif I-17, the Seocheon-Gongju Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-20.gif I-20, the Iksan-Pohang Expressway*

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-22.gif I-22, the Kimcheon-Yeongchun Expressway*

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-25.gif I-25, the Honam Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-30.gif I-30, Dangjin-Sangju Expressway*

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-35.gif I-35, the Central Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-37.gif I-37, the Second Central Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-40.gif I-40, the Pyungtaek-Eumseong Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-45.gif I-45, the Inland Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-50.gif I-50, the Yeongdong Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-55.gif I-55, the Jungang Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-65.gif I-65, the East Coast Expressway*

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-100.gif I-100, the Seoul Loop

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-104.gif I-104, the Second South Coast Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-110.gif I-110, the Second Seoul-Incheon Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-120.gif I-120. the Seoul-Incheon Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-130.gif I-130, the Incheon Int'l Airport Expressway

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-251.gif I-251, the Nonsan-Daejeon Expressway*

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-300.gif I-300, the Daejeon Loop

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-451.gif I-451, the Guma Expressway*

http://mail.freeway.co.kr/routechart/htm/htm_notice/images/l-551.gif I-551, the Daegu-Busan Expressway*

* U/C

^ They're what appear to be US Highway shields in US Interstate colouring.

ITALY

http://www.comune.verona.it/poliziamunicipale/clip/inizio_v.jpg

http://www.comune.verona.it/poliziamunicipale/clip/fine_v.jpg

http://www.comune.verona.it/poliziamunicipale/clip/autostrada.jpg

http://www.lungomarecastiglioncello.it/Vespino/autostrada.jpg

Entrance-http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_avvio.gif http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_firenze.gif http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_conferma.gif

Exit-http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_preavviso_uscita.gif http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_uscita_frosinone.gif http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_limiti_velocita.gif http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_area_successiva.gif

http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/loghi/a_a1.gif
http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_uscita.gif
http://www.aiscat.it/InAutostrada/img/leg_coll_autostr.gif

I like the european system most.Its standard but clear.
European systems are not standard. On motorways, you can find blue signals (Spain, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Luxembourg...) or green signals (Italy, Switzerland). It's sometimes surprising when you cross a border: between France and Switzerland, blue and green signals are inversed.

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/famille.asp?sFamille=12&sSFamille=0

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Traffic Camera Warnings~
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/vcr_cam_Oak_70th_S.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/vcr_cam_Oak_70th_N.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/vcr_cam_West_GeorgiaE.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/vcr_cam_West_GeorgiaW.gif
Others
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/99_Stanley_PKL.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/99_Stanley_PKR.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/99_Stanley_PKL.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/Lg_105.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/Signs/Lg_106.gif
http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/BC99/99_38.jpg

Swedish road signs, signals and markers (pdf) (http://www.vv.se/filer/publikationer/svenska_vagmarken_eng.pdf)

The publication is of 2004 vintage and as such it doesn't include the new (and loathed) "Toll Road"-sign (used to indicate congestion charging in Stockholm)

But hey, I managed to find a picture: http://vv.se/filer/210/vagmarke_betalvag_puffbild.gif

Most popular roadsign stolen by german tourists: Warning signs - Animals (Elk)

Interesting how the South Koreans adopted the US Interstate system. I prefer the signs the most as well. I like the Taiwanese and Swedish (toll) signs too.

SP-65, State of São Paulo, Brazil

http://static.flickr.com/27/59185587_acf66f2e69.jpg?v=0
[ímg]http://static.flickr.com/30/59185585_a617f60193.jpg?v=0[/img]
http://static.flickr.com/25/59185584_8ccb631ccb.jpg?v=0

Here's some from France
http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/21/76/21_76_98_web.jpg

It's not a French road sign !!!

All French highway signs :
http://autorout.free.fr/2_Pdf/index.htm

Some examples around Grenoble :
http://autorout.free.fr/4_photos/04%20A%20METTRE%20EN%20LIGNE%20(envoy%e9)/4_Alpes/A%20480/A480-005-Ech3b-Grenoble_Centre-A-20040229.JPG
http://autorout.free.fr/4_photos/04%20A%20METTRE%20EN%20LIGNE%20(envoy%e9)/4_Alpes/A%20480/A480-005-Ech3b-Grenoble_Centre-B-20040229.JPG

The thing I don't like in French road signs is that names are written in upper case. In most other countries I've visited, it's always in lower case. I find that prettier.

Now, as long as the signs drive me where I want to go, I'm fine with them. ;)

It's not a French road sign !!! No, it is a Swiss one.

The Netherlands:
http://dd50.inducks.org/wegen/img/a50watbeek/DSC05504.jpg
Interchange between motorway's. They are always indicated by an A number in a red shield. Trans-Europa roads are also indicated.

http://dd50.inducks.org/wegen/img/a7oost/DSC05633.jpg
In case necessary: we also indicate German roadnumbers (this is close to the border)

http://dd50.inducks.org/wegen/img/a7oost/DSC05610scheemda.jpg
This is a motorway exit, and the number of the crossing road is given. Roads which are not an motorway bear an N number when they are important.

http://home.wxs.nl/~fluks4/wegen/img/n44hbos.jpg
The road to the left is not the A 12, but it leads to that motorway, therefore the number is not indicated in a shield but written in plain text.

http://members.home.nl/mjvanesch/Foto's%20Verkeerscode%201988/N218%20Brielse%20Maas.JPG
On old signs the number was very big...

http://users.skynet.be/IQ.online/nieuw/DSCF0893.JPG
Not on new ones...

http://home.wxs.nl/~fluks4/wegen/img/s112oudnieuw.jpg
In two cities (Amsterdam and Almere) s- roads exists, this indicates "city-routes"

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9721/rs1045lv.jpg
In some touristic places, r nummering is recently introduced. It means recreation-road.

Note that many small roads in the Netherlands don't carry any number!

Note that all inter-urban direction signs are blue, irrespective if the road is a motorway or not.

Other Highway signs in France :

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/C207.gif

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/E42_ex2.gif http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/E41.gif

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/D43.gif http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/D21a_ex1.gif

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/D31f.gif http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/Da41c.gif

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/D52a.gif

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/D64.gif

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/images/GrandGif/C208.gif

European highways use blue marker signs while The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand use green ones :)

Anyway, from Hong Kong

Regular roads / highways (blue)

http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/asia/hk-sign2.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/asia/hk-shield.jpg

http://www.ambuehler.ch/trip_reports/2001_hongkong/04-29/roadsign.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/asia/hk-roadsign.jpg

Motorways / expressways (green)

http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/asia/hk-sign6-green.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/asia/hk-sign5-grn-stand.jpg

Poland:

motorway:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d9.gif
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d10.gif

expressway:
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d7.gif
http://eduseek.interklasa.pl/multimedia/znaki/znakidrogowe/znaki/d8.gif


AGC, the expressways are the communist version of motorways?

I mean, high capacity roads, dual carrigeway, built in the communist days, but that don't have motorway standarts.

I know that poland now builds modern motorways, but are those expressways from the communist era?

AGC, the expressways are the communist version of motorways?

I mean, high capacity roads, dual carrigeway, built in the communist days, but that don't have motorway standarts.

I know that poland now builds modern motorways, but are those expressways from the communist era?

no, communists didn't build no motorways.
expressways are as u said ' ... high capacity roads, dual carrigeway' (not always), '... but that don't have' ALL 'motorway standarts.' there are f.e. sharper curves, but it's almost a motorway.

Here some highway signs in Spain:

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/ProyectosMadrid (50).JPG

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/ProyectosMadrid (53).JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/ProyectosMadrid (57).JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/ProyectosMadrid (54).JPG (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

The Exits are numbered. Same as high/motorways. M-40 stands for Madrid-40, R-3 stands for Radial-3, which is a tollroad next to the A-3. All signs are blue. Some are white, those are indicating an exit of the motor/highway.

Not all European motorways have blue signs. Switzerland and Italy for example don't.

In Slovenia, we have green for motorways, blue for expressways and yellow for normal roads (the yellow is the same in Germany). However, on signs, a white background is used for city districts.

Our highway markers are also coloured accordingly.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4684/smalldsc041603fm.jpg
A motorway direction sign (green) with markers Ax in a rectangular-octagonal shield (motorway sign) and Exx in a rectangular shield (European route sign).

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/3148/smalldsc050158zp.jpg
An expressway distance sign (blue) with the expressway marker Hx in a rectangular shield.

no, communists didn't build no motorways.
expressways are as u said ' ... high capacity roads, dual carrigeway' (not always), '... but that don't have' ALL 'motorway standarts.' there are f.e. sharper curves, but it's almost a motorway.


I've seen some expressways that originate in Warsaw on google Earth and I have noticed that they have signal lights when they cross cities for example... and have level crossings.
That's the big diference between the expressways and the motorways I guess.

Spain's highway markers use the same font as US highways except they use blue for their signs.

The US is all green :D